Soil classification and mapping in the Alps: The current state and future challenges

Baruck, Jasmin; Nestroy, Othmar; Sartori, Giacomo; Baize, Denis; Traidl, Robert; Vrščaj, Borut; Bräm, Esther; Gruber, Fabian E.; Heinrich, Kati; Geitner, Clemens

doi:10.1016/j.geoderma.2015.08.005

Cited by 49 publications

(37 citation statements)

References 34 publications

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“…This is especially true for high mountain areas, where the spatial variation of soil properties is complex due to highly heterogeneous environmental conditions. In this context, digital soil mapping techniques are valuable tools to utilize and combine extensive information on soil-forming factors, for example from remote sensing [58].…”

Section: Spatial Modeling Of Humus Forms and Topsoil Aciditymentioning

confidence: 99%

Humus Forms and Soil Microbiological Parameters in a Mountain Forest: Upscaling to the Slope Scale

et al. 2018

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Humus forms are the morphological results of organic matter decay and distribution in the topsoil, and thus important indicators for decomposer activities in forest ecosystems. The first aim was to examine if humus forms are suitable indicators of microbiological properties of the topsoil in a high mountain forest (Val di Rabbi, Trentino, Italian Alps). The second aim was to predict microbiological parameters based on the topsoil pH value on two slopes of the study area (ca. 1200-2200 m a.s.l.). We investigated humus forms and determined pH values and microbiological parameters (enzymatic activities, carbon/nitrogen (C/N) ratio and the ratio of bacterial/archaeal abundance) of the uppermost mineral horizon. The results reveal significant correlations between pH value and microbiological parameters (except for bacterial/archaeal abundance), which enable upscaling to the landscape scale using linear models. Based on a random forest with kriging of model residuals, predictive maps of humus form, pH value and microbiological parameters show that decomposition processes in our study area correspond with the topography. As compared to locations on south-facing slopes or close to the valley bottom, locations on north-facing slopes or close to the upper treeline exhibit Moder (scarcely Mull or Amphimull), more acidic topsoil (around pH 4), a lower activity of leucine-aminopeptidase, a lower ratio of alkaline/acid phosphomonoesterase activity and a higher soil C/N ratio (above 20). Our results suggest a high potential of humus forms to indicate soil microbiological properties in a high mountain forest. Together with the pH values of the topsoil, humus forms proved to be a useful tool as a basis for predictive maps of leucine-aminopeptidase activity, ratio of alkaline/acid phosphomonoesterase activity and C/N ratio of the mineral topsoil.

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Section: Spatial Modeling Of Humus Forms and Topsoil Aciditymentioning

confidence: 99%

Humus Forms and Soil Microbiological Parameters in a Mountain Forest: Upscaling to the Slope Scale

et al. 2018

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“…A parte de las condiciones geomorfológicas, climáticas y de las propiedades hidrofísicas del suelo, un factor muy importante es la influencia de la cobertura vegetal, régimen de humedad y en general la pendiente, confirmándose lo descrito por Baruck et al (2015), siguiendo el sistema morfológico -genético, en el que la clasificación debe adaptarse a la situación fisiográfica única de un país. La variabilidad topográfica de los suelos y sus características: tamaño de grano y contenido de grava, como el grado y la profundidad de la erosión.…”

Section: Resultados Y Discusiónunclassified

“…El estudio constituyó para la zona un elemento de referencia para la determinación de la susceptibilidad de la tierra a diferentes usos, planteando alternativas de manejo de una agricultura sostenible (forestación, reforestación, obras de conservación de suelos y agroforestería); presentándose similitudes teóricas con Baruck et al (2015), a medida que la degradación del suelo en todo el mundo se lleva a cabo mucho más rápido que el suelo puede desarrollar, este recurso requiere una gestión sostenible. 6,45 2,73 a, b y c = Ordenes de suelos, a*, b* y c*= familias de suelos Los resultados del proceso de erosión del suelo en la zona nor-occidental de la provincia de Bolívar, revelaron que los principales agentes erosivos actuantes, determinan el en él su perfil formativo, corroborándose el fundamento teórico de Dixon (2015), la formación del suelo implica fundamentalmente la transformación de material de origen.…”

Section: Profundidad (Cm)unclassified

Evaluación de la erosión física y química del suelo en la zona nor-occidental de la provincia Bolívar-Ecuador

Gavilánez

González

et al. 2018

Rev. Ecuad. de Investig. Agropecu.

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ResumenSe realizó la evaluación de la erosión física y química del suelo en la zona nor -occidental de la provincia Bolívar-Ecuador, en las comunidades El Carbón, Culebrillas y Los Casaiches. Por su topografía se dividió cada localidad, en parte superior, media e inferior; para el análisis descriptivo-comparativo y dinámica de erosión en los perfiles A, B y C. Las variables físicas evaluadas fueron: procesos erosivos gravitacionales y denudativa, la morfogenética y textura del suelo; y las químicas pH y materia orgánica. El análisis de textura mostró heterogeneidad a distintas profundidades por comunidad: los Casaiches (15,66 %) suelo arenoso a profundidades de (0 -10 cm), con crecimiento hasta profundidades de 30 cm (19,91 %) y decreciendo hasta los 50 cm (15,18%); la textura arenosa en El carbón y Culebrillas desciende a profundidad de 50 cm. Culebrillas presentó en todos los niveles contenidos de limo (14,14 % a 18,15%) superiores a las del Carbón y los Casaiches. El contenido de arcilla presentó similitudes a profundidad de 0-10 cm (37,12 %), creciendo a medida que se incrementó la profundidad; El Carbón mostro el mayor contenido de arcilla con 52,27%. Los parámetros químicos indicaron suelos ligeramente ácidos, pH entre 5,60 y 6,45 e incrementos de materia orgánica en los horizontes eluviales. Los resultados reportaron que la erosión antrópica es el principal factor de degradación de los suelos (a profundidades de 0 -30 cm) en la zona, generando cambios profundos en la topografía, biota y sobre las propiedades físicas y químicas del suelo. Palabras claves: Proceso erosivo gravitacional, Textura del suelo, Evaluación fisicoquímica, Topografía AbstractEvaluation of physical and chemical soil erosion took place in the north-western zone of the province of bolivarEcuador, communities Coal, Culebrillas and Los Casaiches. By its topography each locality was divided into upper, middle and bottom; for descriptive-comparative and dynamic erosion profiles A, B and C. The physical variables were evaluated analysis: Gravitational and denudativa erosional processes, morphogenetic and soil texture; and chemical pH and organic matter. Texture analysis showed heterogeneity by various depths community: Casaiches (15.66%) sandy soil depths (0-10 cm), with growth to depths of 30 cm (19.91%) and decreasing to 50 cm (15.18%); sandy texture Coal and Culebrillas down to depth of 50 cm. Culebrillas provided at all levels of silt content (14.14% to 18.15%) higher than Coal and Casaiches. Clay content presented similarities 0-depth of 10 cm (37.12%), growing as the depth increased; Coal showed the higher clay content with 52.27%. The chemical parameters indicated slightly acidic soil pH between 5.60 and 6.45 and increases organic matter in the eluvial horizons. The results reported anthropic erosion is the main factor of degradation (to depths of 0-30 cm) in the area, generating profound changes in topography, biota and the physical and chemical properties of soil.

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“…The study area's Alpine environment with its dynamic morphological history results in a wide range of soil parent materials, which paired with different types of former and current land use leads to a high diversity of soil types and soil features [10,38]. Cambisols and Fluvisols are characteristic of the paleovalley due to the fluviatile and glacial sediments, whereas Leptosols, Regosols and Umbrisols can be found on the steep calcareous slopes and siliceous outcrops.…”

Section: Study Area Soil Data and Digital Terrain Modelmentioning

confidence: 99%

How and to What Extent Does Topography Control the Results of Soil Function Assessment: A Case Study From the Alps in South Tyrol (Italy)

et al. 2019

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Soil function assessments (SFA) are becoming increasingly important as a tool to integrate soil-related issues in decision-making processes in order to maintain soil quality. We present the SEPP (Soil Evaluation for Planning Procedures) tool, which calculates a level of fulfillment for 14 soil functions based on the information generally collected in soil pit descriptions. By using a statistical modeling approach based on support vector machine classification, we investigate how and to what extent topography, as representated by local terrain parameters and landform classes computed with the GRASS GIS tool r.geomorphon algorithm, controls soil parameters and hence the output of the SEPP tool. A feature selection procedure is applied which highlights those topographic attributes best suited for modeling the various soil function fulfillment levels. By evaluating the model for each soil function using cross-validation we show that the prediction accuracy varies from function to function. While some terrain attributes are directly implemented in the SFA algorithms of SEPP, others are implemented indirectly due to the link between topography and land use. Minimal curvature and slope were found to be first indicators of function fulfillment level for a number of soil functions.

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Soil classification and mapping in the Alps: The current state and future challenges

Cited by 49 publications

References 34 publications

Humus Forms and Soil Microbiological Parameters in a Mountain Forest: Upscaling to the Slope Scale

Humus Forms and Soil Microbiological Parameters in a Mountain Forest: Upscaling to the Slope Scale

Evaluación de la erosión física y química del suelo en la zona nor-occidental de la provincia Bolívar-Ecuador

How and to What Extent Does Topography Control the Results of Soil Function Assessment: A Case Study From the Alps in South Tyrol (Italy)

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